Congratulations India

Dear Islooboy, It was a semifinal that had a lot of hype, and it lived up to its hype..Pakistan lost.... But, they made a good fist of the match. The fielding is what let Pakistan down. All said and done, Pakistan can go home with their heads held high. Pakistan team even though a young and inexperienced one, reached the semi finals of the world cup. This is not a small feat by any means.What was more heart warming to see was the spirit in which the game was played. No unwanted argy bargies. If only there were more matches between the two nations. I hope all these politics and terrorism stops being part of cricket or as a matter of fact any game at all.....!!!! Share your views... Balu.

Hi islooo, Thank you for your compliments. Both the teams played well and both the team committed some mistakes and probably Pakistan did more due to which they had to pay for it. As long as Afridi was there there was hope that the game could be any body's game but Afridi's early departure made things easy for India though Misbah posed some threat. But what could he do alone. Over all it was a nice game and we all watch beginning to the end. Sorry friend, next time....

Hi Dear Islooboy! In fact I should have been the first person to respond to your discussion! But then since for a couple of days since the weather conditions at our locality is bit erratic,(that is too hot during day time and colder during night time) I am suffering from fever as I need to expose myself to both he weather conditions because of my job! Well now I am feeling bit better and this is the first discussion I am responding! First of all thank you very much for your friendly, sincerely appreciable gesture on congratulating the India on its win in the Semi Finals! In fact yesterday's match was some thing more than simple Semi Final World Cup Match! Almost every Indian was caught by the semi final fever and there was only one name on every body's talk. That was Pakistan! People were all in dilemma if India will make against Pakistan or not! Last three days were like some grand celebrations at the Punjab! Now there is no point of talking that Indian players did well over Pakistani players, Pakistani players dropped some good catches etc. as these will be discussed at length by others here. I just wanted to discuss about the brotherhood that was witnessed during the match and after the match! As I told you before hand nothing untowards has happened before , during and after the match! There was full joy, entertainment and enjoyment during the match! There were no tense moments because of security as it was expected by many people, every thing was just as normal as it could be! Who can say that there was so tight security looking at the manner the crowd was enjoying the match! People were allowed to carry flags, accessories, allowed to put on the make up etc just like in any match! There were big dignitaries like Prime Ministers of both the Countries, Big Industrialist,Ministers, Bollywood stars, families of the players and just name them and they were there and there was only one thing common to every one of these dignitaries weather they are from Pakistan or India,and that was Happiness!Every one was happy , every moment was being enjoyed as if there was no tomorrow. The jam packed stadium was some thing spectacular to see and enjoy! There match was played with full sportsmen spirit. There were no typical incidences of teasing one another amongst the players which we often used to get see in the past. There was seriousness towards the game and the faces of the players was all filled with confidence! I think nobody either in the crowd or on the field must have remembered any thing like terrorism and the repercussions as threatened by the terrorists! This speaks the fact that if two nations are genuinely interested in peace then a third party can't intervene to spoil the peace and the brotherhood and the intimate relationship! You must have observed big leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and many more were sitting in the crowd and enjoying the match while they could have done the same by sitting in the VIP enclosures! Chandigarh Airport was full with 46 chartered planes and there was no scope for further accommodation so the other flights were diverted to next nearest airports.Thus this event was attended by common people and VIPs with equal enthusiasm! You know Islooboy ! One person from Punjab has given his three tickets which he managed with very great difficulty to his Pakistani friends who were disappointed for they couldn't manage the tickets for the match! there must have been several such incidences which will come to light gradually to prove that, the common man of India and Pakistan are still the same as they were before the partition ,they have same brotherly feelings and affection and it is only the vested interests that are playing dirty politics to divide the two to reap the benefits! Last but not the least, it was very touching to see that people from Pakistan were saying that they were not feeling anything bad as Pakistan lost the match,as this is part and parcel of the game. They said if not this time it will be the next time! This gesture of theirs really filled up many hearts of Indians with joy and tears of happiness! Overall I think Islooboy, at least with this match the relationships which got tarnished after the Mumbai blasts between Pakistan and India, has restarted all afresh and with the young blood who got global exposure from both the country will understand the actual problem and hopefully help their respective countries and each other in fighting out the terrorism, which is a brainchild of some third party who want to reap the benefits by sacrificing people from both the countries who are still like brothers and sisters! Thanks for the discussion! As usual it was a fantastic one for me to respond! All the best!

As I told you it would finally come down to who held their nerves better. Pakistan dropped six catches in all, 4 of Sachin and two others. India on the other hand held their nerves and fielded brilliantly. Also I think Pakistani batsmen played loose shots at various times when the game was in their grasp and lost the momentum to hand India an easy victory in the end. Cheers! Ram

Hi Islooboy Thanks for the Congratulations. But I must say I still remain a fan of Afridi and loved the game today... It was quite a thrilling match and I must say Misbah did a great job too and delayed the win for India. I believe if Afridi had called in the Powerplay a bit earlier things would have been more exciting and who knows it might have my Pakistani brothers and sisters celebrating. But at end, it was a weel fought match and my admiration for Afridi and Co. remains as it was on the Pak Vs. Aus match. Look forward to the next games the Pak Team plays for sure... Cheers

Yea, that was one of the greatest show for the cricket once again, and india won the match beating pakistan, Pakistan got a lot of chances to restrict india under 250, but their fielding mistakes helped india to reach 260, and the indian bowlers bowled superbly.

Whohhooo iam happy to see India in the Finals. our Indian Cricketers have done a great job... All the best Indian brothers and sisters for the Finals

Thats was a splendid match taking the breath of all Indians. Even when we lose the finals, but not the match against Pakistan. I can see shewag smashes which proved the fire of team. But Sachin made a heart stop on every catches. I would not support Afridi for his attitude though a good player. I would say riaz is strongest of all, his deliveries are awesome

Yes, I join with you to congratulate the winners. I like the match and both the team played well and it was nice to watch the play till the end. Thank-s

Thanks buddy for doing all this and writing like a mature person, Thanks really for your cheers

It is difficult not to admire Afridi for the way he accepted his team's fate. Its impossible for one man to win a match on his own. If Sachin had been dismissed on his score of 27 India would not have crossed 140. Instaed your generous fielders gave him 4 lives and the two review that went in his favor proved that it was not Pakistan's day today. Kamran Akmal was so hopeless behind the wicket. From the Indian side the best parts were in the start when Sehwag blasted poor Gul out of the bowling attack and towards the end when Raina dragged India past 250. And we all enjoyed the 4 lives you guys gave to Sachin. BTW sachin also did not score the century, infact Yuvi simply did not trouble the scorers so Afrid's wish came true. I don't know what Misbah was doing today and Younus Khan has not done anything at all. In Razzack, younis, akmal kamran they have mere passengers. well, you must be sorely disappointed but India played lousy cricket and Pakistan showed they were afraid so they lost. A Miandad or an Inzy would have shown them how to do it.